Nov 24, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Frankly, My Dear . . . :Five Things Friday
This post is late again, but that’s because I’ve been trying to think what I could possibly write. This week I’ve been overwhelmed with a sense of thankfulness and gratitude. Not just for the season that it is, but because so many things come to mind that make me smile and fill my soul with joy.
Yes, thankfulness is what this post is about.
- Words. This goes without saying (no pun intended, y’all), but without words, I’d be lost. I am strongest, healthiest, happiest, when I’m able to communicate and network. Some creatives paint, or design buildings, or calculate equations. I word. Yeah, like a verb. I’m so incredibly-can’t-describe-it-fully over-the-moon in love with words.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Thankful for Words
- Food. Because I need to eat. And I love to cook and bake. Because being in the kitchen is my next favorite place to being in front of my laptop or a good book. There’s something beautiful about adding ingredients together to make something edible, delicious, and worth sharing.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : The Unemployment Cookbook
- Books. Like y’all didn’t see this one coming. Of course I’m crazy thankful for books. Books to read, to learn from, even books that aren’t so greatly written are helpful (as in a what-not-to-do sort of way). Whether they’re on Kindle or in print, books are magical worlds to encounter and each world is different. I can time travel, fix someone else’s problems, experience cultures I’ve yet to visit. I can be a superhero. All without leaving home.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Thankful for Books
- Happy Planners. I know. I talk about these a lot. But especially now that I’m gearing up for next year. I love the creative scheduling it gives me. The ability to do life on my terms, the color-coordinating of my week with my topics with my focus with my destination with my mood. Happy Planning tracks my reading, writing, social media, work, house, budget, and social schedules. They keep me on track with projects. And they allow me to be creative through every step. So yeah. I’m super thankful for Happy Planners.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : MoJo’s Happy Planners
- Families. There are so many family blends. My blood family takes the cake. We are a crazy, fun, hilarious, loving group of peeps that have so many inside jokes y’all need an interpreter at the family dinners. Then there’s the church family, the writing family, the faux fams, the friends-closer-than-a-brother-family, and all my besties who make up a quasi-sister-clan. I’m thankful for so many things, but mostly for these people who love me as I am yet keep pushing me to strive toward a better greatness than I see in myself. You are all beautiful, and I couldn’t make this journey without you.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Family
With open arms and a peacock feather for everyone,
Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . : That’s all she wrote!
Nov 23, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Today, now, this moment, I want to thank you. I want you to know how wonderful you are. To see yourself as the amazing, wonderful, incredible person you are. And I want to thank you for sharing yourself with the world.
Your light shines in a way no other light shines.
Your smile brightens days.
Your words give insight.
Your care brings joy to so many hearts.
Your laughter, your tears, your humanity draw others to you.
Because of you, there are less lonely people in the world.
Thank you.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : It takes one candle
And keep effervescing!
And Frankly, My Dear . . . : That’s all she wrote!
Nov 22, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Thanksgiving Moments
Share your moments in the comments.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . : That’s all she wrote!
Oct 26, 2014 |
Sometimes I feel I haven’t done enough to advance my writing, but looking back at the two months since I started my GoFundMe campaign, I realize everything’s a matter of perspective.
Go Fund Me: #DoingTheWriteThing
You can click on the link or photo above to follow my progress with #DoingTheWriteThing, without having to make a donation. I truly appreciate support in all forms!
At the beginning of the year, my only resolution was to do life better.
BETTER! 2014
Of course I haven’t accomplished everything on my list, but I have kept that drive alive to push forward no matter what.
I’ve been diligently working on NOLA for over a year. Almost two, if you count those months I formulated everything before writing a single word, and only worked intermittently. I drafted a few ideas, but only started writing the current story just over a year ago.
NOLA Inspiration
With the help of my writing mentor, my critique group, and the local writers club, the story has become stronger, tighter, and ~ dare I say it ~ more mysterious. In the back of my mind, I always knew NOLA was a mystery, but it wasn’t until a few months ago I realized the fullness of the mystery.
My style of writing is both discovery and intuitive. That means I write the story as it comes to me, letting it write itself, letting the characters dictate their own actions for the most part. I don’t know the technical terms for how I do what I do. I just know what works and what doesn’t. That’s the intuitive part.
For a while I got myself wrapped up in trying to follow a structure. It didn’t work. I ended up writing a new introduction to NOLA that told a good story, but it wasn’t my story. It wasn’t my NOLA. So I took the elements I liked and tossed the rest. I combined the best of the first and second drafts and now I’m working on a new NOLA. Thankfully, I have a clearer vision of how to fill in the blanks so the rewrite should only take me a few more months before this draft is fully completed.
In September, Megan departed from The New Inklings due to scheduling conflicts which means, unfortunately, the writing partnership for The Grenalia Chronicles was dissolved. While I’m sad we aren’t working together, we each have great stories to tell and intend to tell them well. I look forward to getting back to writing a fantasy next year, after NOLA.
Beckie has joined The New Inklings and we meet together at least twice a month. She’s well versed in magazine submissions and query letters. She’s a great asset to the NIP Team.
Nip’s Favorite
I’ve been speaking with Beckie as well as my friend Pam about publishing their works next year. Both have amazing stories to tell for young and old, and I’m delighted that they trust me with these writings.
November will be a busy month for writing. I’m attending three Writing Salons, co-hosting another one with Aaron, attending the writers club and the Howl At The Moon Conference.
My friend Tess has signed up for NaNoWriMo. I participated three years ago, and I applaud her determination. Writing 50,000 words for a first-draft novel in thirty days is an amazing accomplishment.
NaNoWriMo 2010 Participant
NaNoWriMo 2010 Winner
I know my writing limits, and since NaNoWriMo requires a new story, not the furthering of an existing one, it’s not on my radar this year. Maybe next year. I have quite a few stories in my mental queue, just waiting to be put into words.
For now, I’m thankful for the progress I continue to make while #DoingTheWriteThing.
Thanksgiving Table
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
BETTER: Thanksgiving
Why I Write. Every Day.
FIVE THINGS FRIDAY: #DoingTheWriteThing
New Meaning to Ghost Writing (Journal, 10/19/2010)
Mar 26, 2014 |
Thanksgiving Table
This is a photo of the first Thanksgiving dinner I ever hosted. It was my first “on my own” holiday. After not completing college and living at home until Dot was nearly four years old, it was time to move out.
It was tough. I was working full-time and being a single parent of a young child had its moments. I often felt like I was failing. The budget rarely balanced. The apartment wasn’t always clean.
But we had love.
Isn’t that what people say? “We may be poor, but we’re rich in love.” That was, and continues to be, true.
I wanted to show off my home skills. And since my brothers couldn’t make it to town for the Big Feast, I let Mom know I wanted to host it.
I didn’t know how I’d manage to afford all this food. I wasn’t sure my time management skills were up to the task. But I prayed. A lot. Alot-alot-alot. And through His blessings and the generosity of others, not to mention several found pennies (and then some!), this entire feast cost me only $0.76.
That’s not a typo. Mom provided two side dishes and dessert. I managed to barter, coupon shop, and was gifted nearly everything else.
But I wanted a candle. Hence the seventy-six cents.
I keep a copy of this photo on my refrigerator. Every time I go into my kitchen and wonder what I will eat, or what I’ll feed Dot, I see this photo. And I’m reminded that He feeds even the smallest sparrows. Sometimes I don’t feel like cooking. Sometimes I don’t think I have enough to cook. You know what? It doesn’t matter. We’ve never gone hungry.
The reason I’m writing this post in March instead of November, is because I recently turned from mourning to dancing. I began to write again. I began to pray differently. I began to trust again. I began to trust Him again. And I began to thank Him.
This past month I started to reorganize my writing. The To-Do’s, the location, the means, the ends. I have a game plan and outlines.
Can you imagine my surprise when I found the feast photo amidst my notes? Especially since the refrigerator copy is still on the refrigerator! How did this extra copy find its way from some unknown storage into the few papers that are held in my new desk drawer?
Writing Sanctuary
I don’t know. I honestly don’t know. I vaguely remember having a second copy tucked into an unused older Bible. But that Bible has been boxed away for years.
And this photo reappeared just when I rediscovered my Writing Muse.
So there’s an intimidating sense of obligation to keep writing. A sense of, “Atta girl!” and “I’m pullin’ for ya!” A definite sense of “Yes, you can do it!” And a huge sense that I’m doing the right thing.
I don’t think Thanksgiving should be relegated to one day or even one month. Thanksgiving isn’t an event. It’s a way of life. It’s the chance to stand up and let the world know you’re glad to be alive.
And I’m definitely glad to be alive. Glad to have the life I have. Glad to be encouraged as a Mom. A daughter. A cook. A writer. And yes, a Christian.
Glad to know I’m not as alone as I sometimes feel.
There’s sense of security when you know your Daddy is there, taking care of you. You might not see Him behind you, but He’s there. You might not hear Him whispering to those around you, but He’s speaking through you. You might not even realize His presence. That’s okay. He’s still there.
And because He is, I am.
And I’m just so very thankful.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
Apologetic
A Good Name
Dear God, Did You Forget About Me?!
“Be Not Afraid”. Yes, I’m talking to YOU.
